IN THE NEWS
Please direct all media inquiries to:
Sally Schulze, Communications Manager
sschulze@refugeeone.org
Featured

Thousands of Immigrants in Illinois Set to Lose Medicaid Coverage
Changes to Medicaid eligibility take effect October 1, impacting about 9,300 lawfully present immigrants in Illinois. Refugees, survivors of human trafficking and people who have been granted asylum are among those no longer covered. | WTTW

Refugees With Disabilities Lose an Important Lifeline. Here’s What Illinois Advocates Are Doing to Help.
Illinois refugees lose Medicaid access in October as part of federal funding cuts. It’s the latest in a series of federal cuts impacting refugees with disabilities, including reductions to Refugee Medical Assistance and SNAP. | Borderless Magazine

An Afghan man spent 13 years waiting for the US to keep its word. He still cherishes his American dream.
Abdulhaq Sodais is an Afghan immigrant and ex-interpreter for the United States military who, after 13 years of trying to gain entry to the U.S., is starting a new life in the Chicago suburbs. | Chicago Tribune
2026
Thousands of Immigrants in Illinois Set to Lose Medicaid WTTW September 30,2026
Medicaid Cuts to Harm Refugees with Disabilities Borderless September 29, 2026
How Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ changed America NBC News July 1, 2026
An Afghan man spent 13 years waiting for the US to keep its word. He still cherishes his American dream Chicago Tribune June 21, 2026
For Chicago’s immigrant workforce, new rules, backlogs make getting, keeping a work permit harder Chicago Sun-Times May 21, 2026
SNAP changes leave Chicago families and grocery stores reeling WBEZ Chicago May 12, 2026
Across continents, Illinois families remain separated by Trump’s immigrant visa halt Chicago Sun-Times April 28, 2026
Refugee families are the latest group to face SNAP food benefit cutoff Chicago Sun-Times April 9, 2026
The Long Road Home Change Agents February 26, 2026
4 years after Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chicagoans reflect: ‘Nothing has changed’ Chicago Sun-Times February 24, 2026
New SNAP Eligibility Changes Could Leave Thousands of Immigrants, Refugees Without Food Assistance Borderless Magazine February 2, 2026
2025
He risked his life for American soldiers in Afghanistan. Would America let him in? Los Angeles Times December 23, 2025
Chicagoans react to Trump decision to drastically reduce U.S. refugee admissions, prioritize white South Africans WBEZ November 4, 2025
Chicago Nonprofit Holds Winter Coat & Boot Drive Fox 32 Chicago September 17, 2025
The “Refugee Pipeline”Has Been Abandoned The Nation September 8, 2025
Syrian-born Refugee Chases Her Dream of Becoming a Doctor in Chicago Borderless Magazine September 4, 2025
Living and Working In America: The new reality for refugees and asylum seekers WBEZ Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons July 31, 2025
Immigrant Rights Leaders, Chicago Refugees Call for Action on World Refugee Day Borderless Magazine June 30, 2025
What to Know About Trump’s New Travel Ban Borderless Magazine June 11, 2025
RefugeeOne meets challenges to cuts of funding, services with help from synod Metro Word Spring 2025
Catholic bishops end refugee aid partnerships with US government, citing funding cuts ABC7 April 8, 2025
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community Looks for Hope Amid Ongoing War: ‘I Just Want Ukraine to Be Peaceful Again’ Borderless Magazine April 1, 2025
Rohingya Refugees’ Dreams of Family Reunification Shattered With Trump’s Resettlement Freeze Borderless Magazine March 18, 2025
Rwanda Refugee Guides Newcomers Starting New Lives in Chicago: ‘I’m in the Right Place’ Borderless Magazine February 11, 2025
Refugees in Chicago face family separation after Trump halts resettlement program Chicago Sun-Times February 7, 2025
Business concerns grow as Trump halts new refugee admissions The Associated Press January 31, 2025
What Trump’s immigration moves mean for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Chicago WBEZ January 21, 2025
Media Archive: 2024
Detention in brutal Russian prison years ago still haunts Ukrainian now living in Highland Park Chicago Tribune September 3, 2024
Ana: A Ukrainian Refugee’s Story On The Trauma Of War Borderless Magazine June 3, 2024
Afghan Refugee Recalls Surviving A Bomb And Fleeing Afghanistan Borderless Magazine May 28, 2024
RefugeeOne and UMF PerfectCLEAN Partner to Provide Refugees with Infection Prevention Workforce Training PR Newswire May 14, 2024
Univision Chicago: RefugeeOne & UMF PerfectCLEAN Partner to Train Legal Refugees Univision February 8, 2024
Ukraine Aid Funding Lapse Impacting Refugee Resettlement in US Voice of America January 29, 2024
We’re all in this together: Celebrating a shared ministry of welcome Metro Word Winter 2024
Media Archive: 2023
,The Year Mahbuba Found Her Voice WBEZ December, 11, 2023
‘I can’t do a lot of things, but I can do this’: How one Chicagoan is stepping up for migrant children with disabilities Chicago Tribune, November, 26, 2023
Descendant of Holocaust survivors forms friendship with Muslim refugee and shows ‘what’s possible in the world’ Chicago Tribune, November 23, 2023
Eli’s Chicago cheesecake creates a winning recipe for refugee inclusion UNHCR, November 9,2023
Assisting the Home Team with the Harlem Globetrotters Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward, Season 2 Episode 4, October 28, 2023
Black Immigrants Today: Tsegay Gebreyohanes Borderless Magazine, November 6, 2023
In Chicago, nurses gather to support refugees and migrant families Fox32, October, 13, 2023
Gov. JB Pritzker Announces Expansion Of Eli’s Cheesecake’s Chicago Factory Forbes Breaking News, October 10, 2023
Affy Tapple celebrates 75 years as Chicago’s iconic autumn treat Chicago Sun-Times, October 9, 2023
Ukrainian refugees who fled war eagerly attend Norridge employment fair: ‘I want a job’ Chicago Tribune, June 19, 2023
Nurses Group Launches Campaign to Help Refugees Crain’s Business, October 13, 2023
Compass One Healthcare Launches Third Annual Socktober Campaign with New Partners and Expanded Reach Business Wire, October 2, 2023
Black Immigrants Today: Jean Chrisbene Justin Borderless Magazine, June 16, 2023
St. James Lutheran Church helped Mapenzi become a citizen Lake County Gazette, May 1, 2023
One year after Russia invaded their homeland, family from Ukraine reunited in Chicago CBS News Chicago, February 1, 2023
Former refugees speak in Glencoe to the need for inclusivity, compassion Chicago Tribune – Glencoe News, February 28, 2023
Ukraine refugees in NYC describe harrowing escape from war — and how they want to go home New York Post, February 24, 2023
They counted the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back. USA Today, February 20, 2023
Temple Har Zion hosts Refugee Shabbat Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, February 8, 2023
Welcoming others, as they were welcomed Jewish United Fund, January, 2023
Kenilworth Union Church Awards Grants to 3 Chicagoland Nonprofits BETTER, January 2023
Blinken: 2 years into Biden term, US ‘in a better place’ AP NEWS, January, 2023
Media Archive: 2022
Ukrainian families spend first Christmas, new year resettled in Illinois Shaw Local News Network, December 23, 2022
Forensic Medical Evaluators for Asylum Seekers Need More Support South Side Weekly, December, 2023
Afghan refugees hoping for easier pathway to permanent residency ABC7, December 20, 2022
Home Visiting For Refugee Families: Flourishing in New Places National Home Visitor Resource Center, November, 2022
Her family survived the Holocaust. Now she’s helping a Muslim refugee family start anew in Chicago, including hosting their first Thanksgiving. Chicago Tribune, November, 2022
Afghan refugees in Chicago urge Congress to provide long-term immigration protections Chicago Sun-Times, October 2022
Ukrainian Refugees Living in Chicago Suburbs Tell Story of Survival 8 Months Into War NBC5, October, 2022
RefugeeOne Opens New Headquarters In West Ridge As Agency Nearly Doubles To Address Refugee Crisis Block Club Chicago, September, 2022
She escaped the Taliban. A year later, her fate — like thousands of Afghans — is in limbo. WBEZ, September, 2022
RefugeeOne moves to new headquarters, doubles capacity WBEZ, September 2022
One year after the US withdrew from Afghanistan, refugees find support from all corners of Chicago Chicago Tribune, August , 2022
Ukrainian mother recounts the horrors of war as she and her son start a new life in Chicago suburbs. For them ‘there is no place to go back to.’ Chicago Tribune, August 6, 2022
Afghan Adjustment Act could help refugees trying to resettle in the U.S. WBEZ Podcast, August 2022
A wave of Afghan teens arrived suddenly — and changed everything at a Chicago high school WBEZ, May 2022
RefugeeOne’s dental clinic takes a different approach to community dental care Illinois Dental News, May 2022
Chicago’s Welcome of Ukrainian Refugees May Come With Challenges South Side Weekly, April, 2022
How Chicago aid groups are prepping for thousands of Ukrainian refugees Crain’s Chicago Business, March, 2022
Partners in Sponsorship: Local Churches Link Up for Community Sponsorship HomeTown Podcast, March, 2022
Local church members help resettle Syrian refugees Riverside – Brookfield Landmark, March, 2022
Afghan refugee DePaul students settle into English classes University and community groups support new refugees from Afghanistan The Depaulia, March, 2022
Chicago area welcoming another wave of Afghan refugees:‘Overnight their lives were just uprooted’ Chicago Tribune, February, 2022
As another wave of Afghans arrives in Chicago, volunteers say more help is needed Chicago Sun-Times, February, 2022
Refugees Drive West Ridge’s Growing Asian Population Chicago Sun-Times, January, 2022
Media Archive: 2021
An Afghan “refugee kid” is welcoming young people just like her to Chicago WBEZ, December 22, 2021
Columbia alum helps refugees with living necessities The Columbia Chronicle November 19, 2021
DePaul is resettling ten Afghan refugees The DePaulia, November 8, 2021
DePaul students provide hope, mentorship to Chicago’s growing refugee communities The DePaulia, November 1, 2021
Afghan interpreter, reunited with family stranded in Afghanistan, pleads for US to evacuate extended family Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2021
Illinois lawmakers pledge to welcome, support hundreds of Afghan refugees WGN9, September 1, 2021
‘These people will arrive with trauma.’How Chicago groups are helping to welcome
Afghan refugees Chicago Tribune, August 31, 2021
Number of expected Afghan refugees resettling in Chicago increases Chicago Sun-Times, August 30, 2021
As people flee Afghanistan, resettlement agencies in Chicago prepare for more refugees Chicago Sun-Times, August 28, 2021
Chicago Agencies Prepare To Welcome Afghan Refugees ‘Within Weeks’ Chicago NBC5, August 25, 2021
Editorial Roundup: Illinois U.S. News, August 24, 2021
As Afghan Families Flee Taliban Rule, Chicago Agencies Mobilize To Help Them Settle Here:
‘We Want To Do What’s Right’ Block Club Chicago, August 20, 2021
‘The Situation Is Really Tragic’: The Crisis In Afghanistan Will Lead Some Refugees To Chicago CBS2 Chicago, August 17, 2021
Refugee Agencies Scramble to Bring Afghan Allies to US WTTW, August 17, 2021
‘Where Will They Go?’: Afghans Fleeing The Taliban Could Find Refuge In Chicago WBEZ, August 17, 2021
Chicago resettlement organization helps refugee families get COVID vaccinations Chicago Tribune, June 24, 2021
Refugee Family Reunites After Years Apart: ‘God Has Done a Miracle’ Newsy, May 27, 2021
Refugee family from Congo reunites in Chicago after 5 years apart ABC7, May 26, 2021
Ten Years On, Syrian Refugees in US Express Loss, Hope Voice of America (VOA), March 15, 2021
Syrian Refugees in U.S. Reflect on Past and Present Fortunes Voice of America (VOA), March 14, 2021
Media Archive: 2020
Resettlement, reunification and romance: Refugees make a new life in Chicago
despite the pandemic Chicago Sun-Times, December 25, 2020
Refugee Couple Spends First Christmas In Chicago After Years Apart NBC5, December 24, 2020
For Immigrants and Advocates in Chicago, ‘Work is Only Beginning’ as They Await
New Biden Administration Chicago Sun-Times, November 17, 2020
Teen helps refugee kids find community on the soccer field, WGN-TV, October 26, 2020
Chicago Teen Starts Soccer Camp for Young Refugees NBC5, October 16, 2020
With Gentrification on the Rise, RefugeeOne Leaves Uptown After 35 Years, Block Club Chicago, August 28, 2020
Schools Provide Stability For Refugees. COVID-19 Upended That. HuffPost, June 27, 2020
From African to African American: How brush with police changed Congolese refugee’s life — and his camera’s focus. Chicago Sun-Times, June 22, 2020
Chicago Refugee Group Making Masks For Those In Need — Here’s How You Can Help Block Club Chicago, May 12, 2020
Mask sewing project among Chicago refugee groups leads to new career goal: ‘This is my job’ Chicago Tribune, May 6, 2020
Refugees try to make new start in Chicago as COVID-19 upends daily life: ‘Once we get back to the normal life, we want to walk freely’, Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2020
Dozens of refugee women make, donate masks during coronavirus pandemic WGN, April 24, 2020
Refugee family reunites at O’Hare after 3 years apart WGN-TV, March 4, 2020
Hyde Park Refugee Project Helping Another Family Resettle on the South Side This Spring Block Club Chicago, January 3, 2020
Media Archive: 2019
Armenian Refugee’s Life Work is to Help Others That are Just Like Her WGN9, December 20, 2019
As the Number of Refugees Allowed Into the U.S. Dwindles, Chicago-Area Volunteers Move Their Work Overseas to Help Displaced People Chicago Tribune, November 28, 2019
After Being Stripped of Nationality, One Rohingya Refugee Finds Hope in 2020 Census Borderless, November 6, 2019
Chicago Groups Preparing African Immigrants for the Census WBEZ, October 15, 2019
Durbin, Schakowsky speak out against cuts to refugee admissions program Chicago Sun-Times, October 3, 2019
Rohingya Muslim Refugees Barred from Marrying in Burma Celebrate Rights in Skokie Ceremony ABC7, July 31, 2019
Refugee Couple Flees Their Country to Safely Get Married in Chicago NBC5, July 31, 2019
5 Refugee Couples Marry at Skokie Courthouse WGN9, July 31, 2019
Trump Administration Considers Further Refugee Resettlement Cuts WBEZ, July 22, 2019
Newsviews: Refugees in Chicago ABC7, July 21, 2019
Chicago Refugee Resettlement Moves Forwards Despite Federal Restrictions WBEZ, July 8, 2019
There is No EVERAND Without RefugeeOne Everand, April 15, 2019
Rohingya Refugees in Chicago Al Jazeera (AJ+), April 9, 2019
Daring: Sorayya Chicago Foundation for Women, January 2019
Media Archive: 2018
U.S. Refugee Cap Puts Hiring Practice at Risk Chicago Tribune, November 1, 2018
Refugee Agencies Under Siege Chicago Tribune, September 18, 2019
Refugees settled in Chicago feel gratitude, guilt amid immigration crackdowns, Chicago Tribune, July 20, 2018
The Rohingya Refugee Crisis and How You Can Help Chicago Community Trust, May 18, 2018
From Liberia to Wilmette and Beyond: David Fahnbulleh to Speak at RefugeeOne Gala Wilmette Life, April 26, 2018
One Year Later, Chicago Jeans Makers Size Up and Keep Humming Along WTTF, March 8, 2018
Family Journeys from Afghanistan to Chicago, with Elgin’s Help Daily Herald, February 23, 2018
Syrian Family Reunited in Chicago Awaits Green Cards Chicago Tribune, January 16, 2018
Media Archive: 2017
Adjusting to New Lives, Chicago’s Rohingya Look to Aid Those Still in Myanmar NBC News, October 11, 2017
Heartbreaking Refugee Stories Inspire Syrian Charity Dinner at Avec DNAInfo, October 9, 2017
Displaced by Fire, Syrian Refugee Family Receives Aid ChicagoTribune’s Evanston Review, September 20, 2017
Welcome to Refugee High Chicago Reader, June 7, 2017
Refugees Escape Violence and War, but Anguish Remains Chicago Tribune, May 9, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Finding Its Way in Chicago Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2017
That’s So South Asian: 30 Years of Channeling Diversity The Chicago Maroon, April 3, 2017
As Resettlement Agencies Face Uncertainty, Donors Rally for Syrian Family Chicagoist, March 8, 2017
Chicago Synagogues Still Waiting to Help Refugees Trump Left in Limbo The Forward, February 16, 2017
So You Want to Help a Refugee Family Daily KOS, February 12, 2017
Elgin Church Gets First-Hand Look at Refugee Experience Chicago Tribune’s Elgin Courier News, February 11, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Arrives in Chicago After Travel Ban Delay ABC 7, February 8, 2017
Syrian Family Arrives in Chicago After Long Wait Wall Street Journal, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Arrives at O’Hare Amid Immigration Ban Lift CBS 2, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugees Arrive in Chicago WTTW Chicago Tonight, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Arrives in Chicago to Cheers as Court Weighs Controversial Ban Chicago Tribune, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugees Due to Reunite with Family at O’Hare as Court Considers Ban Chicagoist, February 7, 2017
Last Refugees to Arrive at O’Hare as 120-Day Ban Takes Hold Chicago Tribune, February 3, 2017
Refugee Ban Separates Families in Chicago Area, Unites Aid Groups Patch, February 1, 2017
Want to Help Refugees? ‘Don’t Just Stay Angry’ Volunteer, Donate, Hire DNA Info, February 1, 2017
Refugees, Agencies Relay Impact of New Immigration Restrictions Chicago Tribune’s Skokie Review, February 1, 2017
A Syrian Family Who Fled Aleppo Was Unable to Come to Chicago Due to Trump’s Ban Teen Vogue, January 31, 2017
Illinois’ Synagogue that Sponsored Some of Last Syrian Refugees Before Ban Fights On Chicagoist, January 31, 2017
Trump’s Travel Ban Delays Refugee Sisters from Congo CBS 2, January 31, 2017
Syrian Family Set to Arrive in Chicago ‘in Limbo’ After Trump Travel Ban NBC Chicago, January 31, 2017
Faith Communities Search for Tools of Resistance WBEZ Chicago, January 30, 2017
Chicago Refugee Support Groups Denounce President Trump’s Travel Ban ABC 7, January 31, 2017
Warm Welcome for Syrians in a Country About to Ban Them The New York Times, January 28, 2017
Refugees Resettled In Chicago Help Make Its Most Famous Cheesecake NPR Morning Edition, January 3, 2017
Media Archive: 2016
Spikeball Founder’s Donation Will Allow Refugee Family To Come To Chicago, DNAinfo, December 27, 2016
Chicago Comes Through In Fundraiser To Bring Refugee Family To City, DNAinfo, December 24, 2016
One Refugee Family’s Long Road to Christmas in Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, December 23, 201
Chicago parents raising funds to give refugees a new start, Chicago Tribune, December 19, 2016
Refugee Resettlement Groups See Surge in Volunteers, WBEZ News Chicago, December 2, 2016
Hyde Park Church Fundraising to Support Syrian Refugees, The Chicago Maroon, November 22, 2016
With Help, a Refugee and his Family Builds a New Life, Chicago Tribune’s Lake Forester, August 30, 2016
Elgin Church Helps Afghan Refugees, Daily Herald, April 14, 2016
UNHCR Chief Welcomes US Leadership Over Global Crisis, UNHCR, March 19, 2016
Opinion: Why My Chicago Company Helps Refugees, Chicago Sun-Times, February 10, 2016
This Chicago Floral Company Hired Refugees To Help Make Valentine’s Bouquets, Chicagoist, February 10, 2016
West Town Florist Helps Refugees’ Dreams Bloom, Chicago Tribune, January 23, 2016